Form
February 28th, 2008, 08:25 AM
Hey everyone! I have got a lull in my work since my Uni students are on a production break. It has given me the chance to finally decide exactly how this will run.
What I have decided is to run a mock studio environment. The main things I want to shoot for this time around are:
1. More group interaction - allowing people to work in genuine teams and encourage collaboration, just like in a legit studio.
2. Clearer, variably timed deadlines befitting a real production schedule.
3. Broader range of task styles reflecting the production environment - from ISO's to mood boards to illustration etc
4. Feedback at all levels from thumbnail through to finished art.
5. A more immersive and enjoyable class environment (make learning fun! TM)
To accomplish all this, I am going to mix up tasks from week to week, varying the length of the deadline, and the work required. All work will be environment based but may involve integrating with a character artist or another part of the production team.
The 'scenarios' as I think them up don't necessarily reflect EVERY production environment out there - every studio is different and I'm just working from what I know.
I will try to put in enjoyable twists and surprises along the way, and I would love it if the finished product can be the genuine result of real blood sweat and tears. Even though this is a 'class environment' i would like it to feel as much like a real studio as the forum will allow.
To this end I will be semi-roleplaying the Creative Director position, in so far as I will try to approach each of you in the same way a real CD would. Feedback will be truthful and direct, briefs will be clear and specific, and the 'performance' of each team member will be noted.
I am going to ease into the first week with an introductory letter and an 'orientation' period to make sure everyone has arrived and is geared up to work. As of now you are 'on the job' and will be dropped from the team if the work doesnt get done - just like a real studio! :) Note that for many tasks, a set # of images MAY not be required. In this case, you are being tested for your ability to efficiently work with speed in a time frame.
After the introductory period the tasks will proceed in a logical fashion and teaching will occur either as critique or segway throughout the production time, or if necessary I will create a specific thread for it. For instance if one week's task is to block out geometry for a temple level, and people all have difficulty with perspective, I will create a perspective lesson alongside the main threads.
Threads will be set out as briefs, and stickied. At certain points there may be separate briefs for different groups etc but I will try to consolidate them into single threads for each 'period' or 'block' of working time.
At the end of the schedule (the timeframe will become clearer later), production will be ramped up and all the work will be collated and presented as a group portfolio that many of you will be able to use to seek employment. I would really like to see some of you getting good jobs out of this experience - that is my intention.
See you all soon :)
Adam
What I have decided is to run a mock studio environment. The main things I want to shoot for this time around are:
1. More group interaction - allowing people to work in genuine teams and encourage collaboration, just like in a legit studio.
2. Clearer, variably timed deadlines befitting a real production schedule.
3. Broader range of task styles reflecting the production environment - from ISO's to mood boards to illustration etc
4. Feedback at all levels from thumbnail through to finished art.
5. A more immersive and enjoyable class environment (make learning fun! TM)
To accomplish all this, I am going to mix up tasks from week to week, varying the length of the deadline, and the work required. All work will be environment based but may involve integrating with a character artist or another part of the production team.
The 'scenarios' as I think them up don't necessarily reflect EVERY production environment out there - every studio is different and I'm just working from what I know.
I will try to put in enjoyable twists and surprises along the way, and I would love it if the finished product can be the genuine result of real blood sweat and tears. Even though this is a 'class environment' i would like it to feel as much like a real studio as the forum will allow.
To this end I will be semi-roleplaying the Creative Director position, in so far as I will try to approach each of you in the same way a real CD would. Feedback will be truthful and direct, briefs will be clear and specific, and the 'performance' of each team member will be noted.
I am going to ease into the first week with an introductory letter and an 'orientation' period to make sure everyone has arrived and is geared up to work. As of now you are 'on the job' and will be dropped from the team if the work doesnt get done - just like a real studio! :) Note that for many tasks, a set # of images MAY not be required. In this case, you are being tested for your ability to efficiently work with speed in a time frame.
After the introductory period the tasks will proceed in a logical fashion and teaching will occur either as critique or segway throughout the production time, or if necessary I will create a specific thread for it. For instance if one week's task is to block out geometry for a temple level, and people all have difficulty with perspective, I will create a perspective lesson alongside the main threads.
Threads will be set out as briefs, and stickied. At certain points there may be separate briefs for different groups etc but I will try to consolidate them into single threads for each 'period' or 'block' of working time.
At the end of the schedule (the timeframe will become clearer later), production will be ramped up and all the work will be collated and presented as a group portfolio that many of you will be able to use to seek employment. I would really like to see some of you getting good jobs out of this experience - that is my intention.
See you all soon :)
Adam